R.I.P. Stevie

Don, my mom and I had 20 cats at one time, so I know exactly how you feel.

My condolences. Time does do wonders.

sorry to hear that...my girlfriend has 2 great pyrenees...one of them is about 12 years old that weights 125lbs and the other is about 8 months old...the 8 month old is already bigger than the 12yr old ever was, already weighing 135lbs....the 12 yr olds back legs are very very weak to the point where he sometimes cannot stand up and they have to lift him as you said...

They are great dogs, and again sorry to hear about your loss.

I have a friend with a Great Pyranees and they are wonderful dogs.

I've had to "let go" several times and each time my heart breaks. Some dogs become our friends - and then there are those rare dogs that become truly a piece of our life.

I always think sending them on their way is the last kindness we can provide to them. But I always wish, too, for a just a bit more time.

My heart goes out to you - I've been where you are and it hurts.

kay

Sorry Don. From the pictures “Stevie” looks like a kind, old/wise, and dignified companion. : )

My condolences. I often think about the past pets in my life -- mostly dogs, a couple of cats -- more than most people I've known. There is a unique bond between pets and their guardians that someone probably has to experience to understand (just as someone may need to experience having a child to understand the bond between parent and child). Of course, this only applies to someone with a heart, such as yourself.

Don, I am so sorry for your loss and the big void where she used to be.

She was and always will be such a beautiful dog.

Thank God she had a loving home with you and lived a good life.

She will always live in your heart.

(i know it all sounds trite right now) and here is another one:

"time heals all wounds")

Godspeed.

I'm so sorry for your loss Don. Stevie was beautiful. Kay said it best "there are those rare dogs that become truly a piece of our life".

I'm struggling with having to make this same decision for my best friend, Riley.

I was given this poem years ago. It's since been posted on the internet.

Don:

I am truly sorry for your loss. Many times our pets are more human to us than some of our family.

We had to do the same to our Boxer, Jack, a couple years ago. At the time, we had two pets. The other was a dog. Jack was our son. The initial pain was unbearable. With time it's lessened, but I still think of him daily.

It's too early to think about it, but the world needs pet owners like you. When you're ready, there's another special dog out there who needs your love. I'm sure Stevie will be happy.

Stevie was a a beautiful dog, Don. It's amazing how attached we become. It's tough losing "family," I'm sure Stevie will be missed greatly, but it sounds like she had a wonderful life with you.

She was a gorgeous girl. She will live always in your heart.

Many condolences, it has only been in the last year or two that I realized how deeply an animal can be connected to you as a friend. They always are, you just dont notice alot of times until they are the only one you have around.

Stevie was beautiful BTW. Gorgeous!

Wow - sorry to hear this one Don. It's a hard blow even when we know that it's one that will be delivered one day. There's no way to get used to losing our best friends.

Dogs are patient. Stevie will be waiting when you cross the divide.

I'm so sorry for your loss.
I'm a cat person myself but the bond between four legged and two legged friends is as strong as they come.

When people say "it's only a dog" they've obviously never had a great dog. There's nothing like it. My friend is a 15 year old stumpy Manx cat who's rested at my feet under my desk since I registered my first website in 1997. The mere thought of losing him makes me a little misty so I can only imagine what you're going through.

Your Stevie looks like he was a great furry friend and it will get better in time. Below is the poem about the Great Rainbow Bridge. They say it's where humans and their beloved pets are reunited.

---
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Don,
My deepest sympathy for your loss.
I have lost the most amazing dog I've ever known who was
a better soul than most people I've known.
I have also lost the best friend I've ever had.

They were both Bichons.

There is a hole in my heart that can never be filled.

If dogs don't go to heaven I don't want to go.

I extend my sincere sympathy to you Don, me myself is also a pet lover and I know how it feels to lose someone you really adore. Currently, I have two adorable dogs a half-japanese spitz (8 months old) and a shih tzu-dachshund (4 months) puppies. I really appreciate people who are fond of having pet. ) I know that these people are indeed kind hearted.

This is very sad. But Stevie will never go out of your mind and be with you.

I have to say a heart-felt thank you to all.


It means a lot to me to feel the love and the good thoughts from everyone here.
My wife talks about remembering all the good times we had with Stevie, and the wonderfully happy times Stevie had. That Stevie would sleep upside-down, legs splayed, belly unprotected shows she felt safe.


This wasn't true in the beginning. She was frightened, because her world had suddenly changed (again) when the 3rd owner gave her to us. At our home, she had no idea where she was, or who we were. Her known world had suddenly disappeared.


While we were sleeping first night, about every half hour, I would hear the "hhh, hhh, hhh" of panting, smell dog breath, and be waken by this giant head staring at my face. She was so tall, she could look me in the eye while I slept.


Finally about 4 AM I felt the cold, wet nose. She wanted to go outside, so I got up and let her out. It turns out she was just testing us, because she never woke us again during the night!


I used to take her to work every day, but if I had to leave for a while, my employees told me Stevie would lay by the back door, and whimper loudly until I returned. It was so sad and heart-warming at the same time.

Thanks again everyone. I really appreciate your experience, strength, and hope.

:-Don (See, I'm smiling again.)

I still feel sad when I remember this.